A juror wished Ray Nagin's defense attorney put on more evidence to help his client in the federal corruption case that ended with convictions on 20 counts that could send the former New Orleans mayor to prison for 20 years, possibly more.

Speaking outside the federal courthouse after the verdict was read, Lisa Hamaker, a juror from St. Tammany Parish who described herself as a "stay-at-home-mom," said she wished defense attorney Robert Jenkins put on more evidence. Much of the prosecution's case went unchallenged, she said.

Nevertheless, Hamaker said, "The prosecution's evidence was pretty difficult to dispute." In terms of jurors' feelings on Nagin's behavior as described in the case, she said the verdict was "fair" and essentially speaks for itself.

Jurors were unanimous on 20 counts of conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud and tax fraud. They acquitted Nagin on a single count for bribery related to a $10,000 payment from a city contractor to Nagin's sons.

Hamaker went on to say that she looked forward to reading the press coverage of the trial and getting to know some of the characters who were mentioned but did not testify. "We've been in a vacuum," she said. Jurors are prohibited from following media coverage of a case until they are dismissed.

"It's been emotional," Hamaker said. "I felt absolutely terrible for Mrs. Nagin and especially for their daughter. My heart goes out to them for sure."

She said the jurors themselves worked well together. "It was very amicable," she said. Hamaker and Bridget LeBlanc, who was forewoman of the jury, even talked about meeting again for lunch sometime later as they went to their cars. They both live on the North Shore.

The jury deliberated for 6.5 hours after a trial that lasted two weeks. Judge Ginger Berrigan prohibited the jurors from discussing specifics what they talked about in the jury room.

Courthouse security personnel escorted members of the 12-person jury as they
left the U.S. District Court together and crossed Poydras Street to a
parking lot, where some agreed to speak to reporters. Most somberly
declined to comment and left without saying a word.